Radius40 powers another student 'Speed Mentoring' program

Radius40 powered another S2STM (Student to Student) Speed Mentoring event between Penn State Worthington Scranton (PSWS) and Dunmore High School Friday, February 1st.

A similar event is planned for February 13 at Lackawanna College-Lake Region Center with students from Wallenpaupack Area High School. That event will focus on careers in Physical Therapy.

The S2STM Speed Mentoring Program, developed by Radius40, gives high school students the opportunity to gain vast amounts of information about college and career choices from college students who were just recently in their shoes. The quick-paced program pairs a high school student with a college student. The high school student fires away with 5 minutes of carefully developed questions.

After five minutes, the high school student moves on to the next college mentor and the process repeats.

Part Two of the program allows the college mentor to help the high school student digest all the information they just heard.

Radius40 was pleased to partner with PSWS and students in the Information Sciences and Technology Department. Many of the students from Dunmore High School who attended the event have a specific interest in IT as a possible career path. Chris Haran, CIO of TMG Health, spoke to the students about "The Hyper Evolution of Information Technology." Radius40 Program Director, Tara Iona stated,"Thanks to PSWS Director of Enrollment Management, Sandy Feather, we were able to put together a fun and information packed event for the students. The program included breakfast, lunch, a speaker, speed mentoring, a campus tour, and an Admissions and Financial Aid Information Session." After the event, Dunmore High School guidance counselor Jeanne Massaro said,"The kids were all very positive about today. They said they enjoyed the program very much and learned more about what careers there are in relation to Information Technology. I think they liked being on a college campus as well."

PSWS IST Professor Dr. Deb Smarkusky said, "The Radius40 Speed Mentoring Program is an awesome initiative. Penn State Worthington Scranton Information Sciences and Technology (IST) student mentors and Dunmore high school students were excited to share personal experiences, answer questions about college expectations, and talk about majors of possible interest. This program builds the confidence of the IST Student Mentor while allowing the high school student to learn more about the overall college experience. Our IST students welcomed the opportunity to participate and look forward to the next event."

Penn State IST student Mitchel Goben added, "Being able to push a student, in the right direction, to follow their dreams is an honor. I truly believe that with the knowledge I shared during the mentoring program I gave the students I spoke with the confidence to tackle college head on." Radius40 is a group of NEPA regional leaders intent on driving economic development, tourism, and inspiring the youth in the region.